Angle-dependent electron energy spectra resulting from autoionizing Ne? (3s 3 P 2) +H(12 S) collisions

Abstract

Experimental angle-dependent electron energy spectra for the autoionization complex Ne*(3s3P2)+H(12S), leading to Penning and associative ionization, are reported. The data, measured at thermal collision energies (Ērel∼51 meV), clearly show an angular variation of the spectral shape, indicating that electrons with angular momentuml>0 participate in the autoionization process. The corresponding non-isotropic electron emission leads to a correlation between the impact parameter-dependent heavy-particle dynamics and the observed electron energy spectrum at a certain detection angle. The experimental results are qualitatively discussed in connection with previous work on the system He*(23S)+H(12S). Furthermore, we present quantum mechanical model-calculations for the electron energy spectrum on the basis of available potential data.